Stan Bowman lands back on hot seat with answer during press conference!

In his introductory press conference as the Edmonton Oilers’ new general manager, Stan Bowman immediately addressed his past mistakes and stated that: “My response was inadequate back in 2010. I didn’t handle things properly. I should have done more. And that’s something I regret, and it’s something I’ve had a chance to reflect on and try to learn from.”

Along with Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville and fellow executive Al MacIsaac, Bowman was banned in 2021 from holding executive positions in the NHL after an independent investigation revealed that they had mishandled allegations of sexual assault raised by a former player, who later identified himself as Kyle Beach, regarding the team’s video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. All three executives involved were reinstated by the NHL and Bowman was hired by Edmonton.

Bowman also revealed that he called him last night to tell him ahead of everyone that he would become the new general manager of the Oilers, claiming that it was “an encouraging conversation.”

While Bowman has built a positive relationship with Beach over the past year, he was also asked on Wednesday if he has contacted “John Doe 2,” the high-school player sexually assaulted by Brad Aldrich after he left the Blackhawks organization in 2010.

TSN’s Rick Westhead reported that Bowman didn’t answer directly and said: “Anyone negatively impacted, I feel for them and I certainly wish they don’t go through it.”

As Westhead reminds us, “John Doe 2 doesn’t have the freedom to share his perspective and story publicly unless and until the Blackhawks release him from a non-disclosure agreement he had to sign when the NHL team settled his lawsuit.”

I wonder if this will be an issue for many as Bowman moves into his new role of GM in Edmonton. It could be a good thing for the general manager to directly speak with John Doe 2 and make sure he can help him as he seems to have been able to do with Beach.

At this time, Bowman is also dealing with an ongoing petition that some fans put together to get him out of the Oilers’ organization. A lot going on for the new GM…